Memphis Grizzlies Free Agency Rumors: Cavs, Clippers, Thunder Interested in Zach Randolph
The Memphis Grizzlies and the fans would love to see Zach Randolph back in Memphis, but some other teams could get in the way.
No one really knows what Zach Randolph is worth in this free agency. He’s shown that he could still contribute at a sixth man-level. However, his age and game hinder him from being as effective in this modern NBA. He may not get a max deal, but he sure has suitors. The Memphis Grizzlies should be worried.
Grizzlies veteran F Zach Randolph set to meet with teams tonight in Los Angeles. Interest coming from Kings, Thunder, Clippers.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2017
So...as I was gonna say before the sun collapsed...hear Cleveland also has interest in Zach Randolph. Contact expected via phone Saturday.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2017
Clippers? Thunder? Kings? Grizzly fans shouldn’t want to hear that.
What if he returned to old coach Dave Joerger? Or if he teamed up with Paul George and Russell Westbrook? Is he going to ring-chase with LeBron? … Could you imagine Zach Randolph teaming up with Blake Griffin?
The interest is obviously there, but does Zach Randolph even fit with these teams?
Fits
The Memphis Grizzlies are clearly the best fit for Zach Randolph. He already knows his role. The city absolutely adores him. For crying out loud, his jersey will be in the rafters, and he’ll have a statue out in front of the FedEx Forum.
In Oklahoma City, the fit is there if – and only if – they trade Enes Kanter. Between him and Steven Adams, there isn’t much floor spacing, even with Paul George. Because of that, Zach Randolph won’t mesh all that well in Oklahoma City.
Zach Randolph could end up in Sacramento. His old coach is there, and – more importantly – so is the money. The Kings have more cap space than anyone in the league and have to spend most of it. Most of their lineup is intact, as they have seven first-round picks from past two drafts on the time. Despite that, they need veteran guidance on the team. Randolph has been through just about everything in the league, and his wisdom would be greatly appreciated in Sacramento.
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I guess the Los Angeles Clippers would be an okay fit for Randolph. He could be a nice post option off the bench and would be great insurance if Griffin got hurt again. However … I don’t want it to happen. Grizzly fans don’t want to happen. It shouldn’t happen. Please don’t happen. For the sake of all the grit and all the grind, I’d do anything to make this not go down.
If Randolph were to leave, Cleveland would be an acceptable option. For starters, the Grizzlies would only have to see him twice a year. More importantly though, he’d have a legitimate shot at a ring. He’s built a Hall-of-Fame case over his career, and a championship could put the cherry on top. In Cleveland, he’d be a nice, second-unit big man, but he’d receive more playing time elsewhere.
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